Apr. 4—ELI LADU
'24-'25 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
John Marshall —Senior —Guard
At 6-feet-0, Ladu averaged 17.5 points per game, 4.5 assists per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 2.7 steals per game. He was named All-Big Nine Conference and helped JM to a 26-6 record, tying the program record for most wins in a single season. Ladu also led the Rockets to their first Class 4A state tournament in 22 years, earning a sixth-place finish. "(He) defended the opponents' point guards and often completely took him out of the game with steals and pressure," JM coach Jim Daly said. All of these reasons make Ladu the PB's All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
LUKE ROSCHEN
Goodhue —Junior —Guard
The 6-foot-2 junior guard averaged 17 points across 32 games, shooting 36% from the 3-point arc and 72% from the free-throw line. He averaged 3.9 apg., 6.3 rpg. and 3.4 spg. Roschen, who surpassed 1,000 career points in December, was runner-up for the PB's Player of the Year. He received All-Hiawatha Valley League honors and was the team captain for the Wildcats.
MASON KING
Caledonia —Senior —Guard
The 5-foot-11 King was part of a dominant senior class that led the Warriors back to state for the first time since 2022. He averaged 18.2 ppg., 4.2 apg., 3.4 rpg., across 33 games while shooting 45% from the field and 86% from the free-throw line. He was one of three Caledonia seniors who surpassed 1,000 career points this season, finishing with 1399. King is a four-year varsity starter who received All-Three Rivers Conference honors.
REID KLUG
Caledonia —Senior —Forward/Guard
At 6-feet-6, Klug put up 16.5 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 2.7 apg. He was one of two impactful big men for the Warriors, shooting 65% from the free-throw line and 57% from the field. Klug was All-TRC and finished four years on varsity with 1253 career points.
MAX DEARBORN, BYRON
Byron —Senior —Guard
At 6-feet-5, two-time captain Dearborn averaged 17.7 ppg., 6.6 rpg., 4.7 apg. and 2.0 spg across 32 games. He recorded 91 3-pointers and exceeded 1,000 career points this season while helping Byron reach its first state tournament since 2021. Two-time All-HVL and was voted HVL Conference Player of the Year. Dearborn was named in the final 35 list of Minnesota Player of the Year and played among the top 40 seniors in the MBCA Senior All-Star Series in Anoka. He will play college basketball at NAIA Northwestern University in Orange City, Iowa.
CALEB BANCROFT
Stewartville —Senior —Forward
The 6-foot-7 Bancroft recorded 18 ppg., 11.2 rpg., 2.0 apg. and was just five rebounds shy of Stewartville's single-season record. He was a 1,000-point scorer and earned All-HVL honors. Bancroft was the Tigers' Team MVP and was selected to play in the MBCA Senior All-Star Game. He will play Division II college football at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
WILL BRIAN, BYRON
Byron —Senior —Guard
Brian leads the Bears in 3-pointers made in a single season (112) and career (218). At 6-feet-5, he averaged 18.4 ppg. He was named to the MSHSL Class 3A All-Tournament Team and received First Team All-HVL honors. He is also Byron's single-season record holder in points scored. Brian will play college baseball at D-III Saint John's University.
GARRETT KONZ
Caledonia —Senior —Forward
Another crucial Big Man for Caledonia, 6-foot-6, Konz tallied 15.4 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 1.8 apg. this season. He shot 50% from the field and 67% from the free-throw line. Konz earned All-TRC honors and finished his varsity career with 1,132 points. He will play college baseball for Division II Upper Iowa University.
PIERCE PETERSOHN
Triton —Junior —Guard
The 6-foot-5 Petersohn was named All-Gopher Conference Player of the Year after averaging ...
